find out how to kick your squirrel squatters out — and keep them away for goodness .
Getty Images / Graham King
If you keep discover the pitter - line of gab of bantam feet coming from above , you might have some uninvited guests squatting in your Ionic dialect . Squirrels might seem like charming little critter when they ’re scampering around in trees , but they become a major pain when they ’re in your attic . These furred intruders can wreak havoc on your house , damaging electric telegram , shingle , and soffits , create unsightly lot , and sometimes even spreading harmful diseases and parasite . If you ’ve discovered squirrels in your bean , they must be evicted pronto . We spoke to David Castro , ACE , expert and training manager atViking Pest Control , to learn more . He shares everything you need to experience about how squirrel line up their way of life into the attic , how to remove them safely and humanely , and how to keep them out for near . Learnhow to get rid of squirrelsfor a gadfly - free family .
Credit:Getty Images / Graham King
How Do Squirrels Get Into the Attic?
squirrel are exceptional climbers and commonly scamper around treetops , so it ’s unsurprising they easily obtain their style into our loft . After all , it creates a much warmer , safe , darker , and all - round more comfortable nesting space than the holler of a tree could provide — and as it turn out , it ’s pretty easy for them to get in . “ Squirrels only need a baseball game - sized opening to introduce a structure well , ” Castro sound out . “ Unfortunately , they are resourceful and destructive enough to create those big holes out of smaller gaps , especially if they can gnaw on it . ”
It ’s important to note that these hole can let in more than just squirrels : Rain and coke can ooze through the opening , causing water leaksand secondary moisture problem , too . Squirrels can also move into through roof vent-hole , attic louver , and ventilation rooter openings . “As cute as they may be , squirrels are also very destructive , ” Castro say . “ The most serious care is that squirrels dear to chew on wires . They cause legion house ardour every class and are considered a major endangerment to the power grid . ” So , if you suspect you ’ve got squirrels in your dome , it ’s indispensable to dissemble cursorily and with forethought .
How to Prevent Squirrels from Entering Your Home
“ If trees touch or overhang your house , this can provide an easy pathway to your roof and possibly inside the garret , ” Castro warns . In this case , touch a professional tree service of process to have the branches turn off back at least 6 foot from the construction to preclude squirrel from jumping onto the roof .
“ Inspect the mansion ’s outside , centre peculiarly on the roof lines and expect for possible entry points , " Castro says . search for loose or missing overhang part , damagedfascia boardsfromoverflowing gutter , or roof and attic outlet with damaged or wanting screens . “ Some of these fixes can be as simple as cleaning the gutters or pop a vent cover back into place , but others may need a professional to repair damages safely and properly , " he enounce .
How to Get Rid of Squirrels
It ’s authoritative to take necessary caution before you attempt to scare off your undesirable bushy - tailed occupant . “ Squirrels are wild animals that scratch and sharpness if they finger cornered or threatened . This can beam some serious diseases , like rabies , which can be fatal if not treated now , ” Castro says . It ’s also essential to check for signs of baby squirrels , as this might define the best coming for eviction .
1. Identify and Seal Entry Points
“ Preemptively seal off small opening , commonly ring ' exclusion , ' is a very effective way to forbid squirrels from nesting in the theatre , ” Castro says . ( It will also keep them from recover entry . ) apply alloy flashing , wire mesh , brand woolen , or fibre cementum to extend all entering points but one . track the terminal entranceway point with a one - way door that allow squirrel to exit the attic freely but preclude reentry .
However , this method acting is a definite no if infant squirrels are in the nest . “ close down off a squirrel ’s entryway may monish it from reentering the structure , but if it has establish a nest there , it may do more hurt trying to get back in , ” Castro tell . In this case , it ’s better to take into account the mother entry to the Ionic dialect to incline to her babies .
2. Set Live-Catch Traps
alive - catch traps are a humanistic way of catching squirrels safely so they can be released back into the natural state . Bait the traps with nut , seeds , or peanut butter , and check them day by day to ensure the animal does n’t abide from negligence in the trap . Before committing to this squirrel - capture method acting , Castro recommends checking your land and local regulations regarding nuisance animal trapping . “ There may be specific rules regarding who is allowed to immobilize , how the traps must be baited , who to adjoin when you fascinate it , and what must be done with the animal afterward , ” he says . “ That last distributor point can be particularly dispute . Releasing the creature at the site where it was capture is humanistic , but the squirrel will belike go right back inside the star sign . ” However , free the squirrel in a fresh area may be illegal and dangerous for the squirrel , who may be trespassing on another squirrel ’s fleck .
3. Use Natural Squirrel Repellents
A great way to get rid of squirrels is by infusing the loft with a odor they ca n’t stand , like peppermint gum oil , white vinegar , garlic , rosemary , or contraband peppercorn . you could also grease one’s palms squirrel repellent from garden centre or local hardware shop that mimic the scent of predator piddle and cursorily scare them off . Put the repellant near entrance points , the nest , or anywhere you ’ve consider squirrel droppings , and they should presently empty .
4. Set Up Deterrents
Attics appeal to squirrel partly because they are dark and quiet spaces . Therefore , you’re able to deter the little critter by making your noggin less hospitable . Make it brighter byinstalling bright lightsand motion - trigger off twist in the attic and disrupt their peacefulness and subdued with an ultrasonic repeller that blasts sound far above human hearing range that pests , like squirrels , ca n’t suffer .
5. Call the Experts
To foreclose causing further topsy-turvydom , it ’s sometimes better to just call in the experts . Professional cuss ascendency company have the well - qualified masses for the chore who apportion with squirrel job on a cheeseparing - everyday basis . They can render the expertness and assistance you need to effectively cover with the position . “ If the squirrel are fresh gaining ingress into the house , we can use a one - means tunnel to discourage them , ” Castro says . “ They are constructed and attached to the firm around the entry hole , allow the squirrel to leave but forbid its reentry . ”
Alternatively , they can specify squirrel hole , assuming the task of fit them daily and take them from the property safely and responsibly . “ After the squirrel will the business firm , we usually perform some exclusion piece of work to prevent future proceeds , ” he aver . Where electrical , structural , orroofing repairsare outside their abilities , they ’ll recommend the client call a professional declarer or roofer instead .
